WO2025237677A1

WO2025237677A1 - Measuring ue energy consumption while running connectivity services

Info

Publication number: WO2025237677A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/061752
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xuan HE; Laurent GOIX; Hakon Helmers
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-05-13
Filing date: 2025-04-29
Publication date: 2025-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-13
Also published as: GB2641038A; GB202406711D0

Abstract

A user equipment comprising: means for receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; and means for sending the report to the network entity.

Description

MEASURING UE ENERGY CONSUMPTION WHILE RUNNING CONNECTIVITY SERVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, system and computer programs and in particular, but not exclusively, methods, apparatus, system and computer programs relating to configuration of a user equipment. BACKGROUND

A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server.

Such communication networks operate in according with standards such as those provided by 3 GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards provided by 3GPP.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising: means for receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; and means for sending the report to the network entity.

The configuration request may comprise a quality of experience configuration request and the report comprises a quality of experience report.

One or more of the one or more energy related metrics relate to one or more of: an energy state of the user equipment; an energy consumption of the user equipment; an energy preference of the user equipment; an energy capacity of the user equipment; an energy supply of the user equipment; and an energy consumption rate of the user equipment.

The configuration request may comprise at least one of: a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics to be reported; a measurement frequency for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; a measurement time range for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; or a reporting time period for sending the report to the network entity.

The configuration request may comprise a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics for which information is to be provided in the report in a radio access network visible container.

The configuration request may comprises information identifying one or more of an application or an application session.

The application session may be one of a media streaming session, an internet protocol multimedia system session, and an extended reality session.

The application may be one of a media streaming application, an extended reality application, and a media streaming application.

The configuration request may comprise a list of one or more quality of experience metrics for which the user equipment is to provide information. These one or more quality of experience metrics may not be energy related.

The one or energy related metrics of the user equipment may comprise one or more of: one or more device specific metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more processing specific metrics.

The one or more device specific metrics may comprise one or more of: a time duration for which a screen of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the screen; a time duration for which a camera of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the camera; a time duration for which a speaker of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the speaker; a time duration for which a sensor of the user equipment is on; or an energy consumption of the sensor.

The one or more application specific metrics may comprise an energy consumption of the application.

The one or more processing related metrics may comprise one or more of: energy consumption of radio transmission by the user equipment; energy consumption for one or more of encoding, decoding, and processing; or energy consumption for one or more of split rendering and split-rendered media processing associated with the session.

The user equipment may comprise means for receiving, after sending the report, an updated network configuration.

The updated network configuration may comprise one or more of: a different quality of service configuration; or a different slice.

The quality of service may be defined by one or more of: a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency.

The user equipment may comprise means for sending, to the network entity, capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of : support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics; or one or more energy metrics capable of being reported by the user equipment.

The capability information may further indicate support of the user equipment to report one or more quality of experience metrics, which are not energy related.

The capability information may further indicate one or more quality of experience metrics which are not energy related and which are capable of being reported by the user equipment.

According to a second aspect, there is provided method comprising: receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of a user equipment; collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; and sending the report to the network entity.

The configuration request may comprise at least one of: a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics to be reported; a measurement frequency for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; a measurement time range for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; or a reporting time period for sending the report to the network entity. The configuration request may comprise a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics for which information is to be provided in the report in a radio access network visible container.

The one or energy related metrics of the user equipment may comprise one or more of one or more device specific metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more processing specific metrics.

The one or more device specific metrics may comprise one or more of a time duration for which a screen of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the screen; a time duration for which a camera of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the camera; a time duration for which a speaker of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the speaker; a time duration for which a sensor of the user equipment is on; or an energy consumption of the sensor.

The one or more processing related metrics may comprise one or more of energy consumption of radio transmission by the user equipment; energy consumption for one or more of encoding, decoding, and processing; or energy consumption for one or more of split rendering and split-rendered media processing associated with the session.

The method may comprise receiving, after sending the report, an updated network configuration.

The updated network configuration may comprise one or more of a different quality of service configuration; or a different slice. The quality of service may be defined by one or more of: a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency.

The method may comprise sending, to the network entity, capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of: support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics; or one or more energy metrics capable of being reported by the user equipment.

The method may be performed by an apparatus.

The apparatus may be a user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the methods of the second aspect..

According to a third aspect, there is provided a network entity, comprising: means for sending a configuration request to a user equipment, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment which are to be collected by the user equipment; and means for receiving a report from the user equipment, the report comprising information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

The network entity may comprise means for providing the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to an application function.

The network entity may comprise means for sending, after receiving the report, an updated network configuration. The updated network configuration may comprise one or more of: a different quality of service configuration; or a different slice.

The quality of service may be defined by one or more of a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency.

The network entity may comprise means for receiving from the user equipment, capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics; or one or more energy metrics capable of being reported by the user equipment.

The network entity may comprise means for using the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to change a configuration associated with the user equipment.

The network entity may be radio access network entity or a core network entity. For example the core network entity may be a quality of experience server or an operations and management function.

For the radio access network entity, the information about the one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment may be visible to the radio access network entity.

The radio access network entity may comprise means for changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment to change the configuration associated with the user equipment.

The means for changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment may be for: activating one or more secondary cells, deactivating one or more secondary cells; activation a secondary cell group; or deactivating a secondary cell group.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: sending a configuration request to a user equipment, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment which are to be collected by the user equipment; and r receiving a report from the user equipment, the report comprising information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment. The method may comprise providing the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to an application function.

The method may comprise sending, after receiving the report, an updated network configuration.

The method may comprise receiving from the user equipment, capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of: support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics; or one or more energy metrics capable of being reported by the user equipment.

The method may comprise using the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to change a configuration associated with the user equipment.

The information about the one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment may be visible to a radio access network entity.

The method may comprise changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment to change the configuration associated with the user equipment.

The method may comprise changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment may be for: activating one or more secondary cells, deactivating one or more secondary cells; activation a secondary cell group; or deactivating a secondary cell group. The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be a network entity. The network entity may be radio access network entity or a core network entity. For example the core network entity may be a quality of experience QoE server or an operations and management 0AM function.

The apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the methods discussed previously in relation to the fourth aspect..

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising: means for collecting one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment during an session; means for determining based on one or more of the collected energy related metrics that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed; and means for taking one or more actions in response to determining that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed.

The session may comprise one of a media streaming session, an internet protocol multimedia system session, or an extended reality session.

The user equipment may comprise means for collecting one or more quality of experience metrics related to the same session.

The means for determining may be for determining that energy consumption by the user equipment is to be reduced.

The means for determining may be for determining that a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be improved.

The one or energy related metrics relating by the user equipment may comprise one or more of one or more device specific metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more processing specific metrics.

The one or more application specific metrics may comprise an energy consumption of the application. The one or more processing related metrics may comprise one or more of: energy consumption of radio transmission by the user equipment; energy consumption for one or more of encoding, decoding, and processing; or energy consumption for one or more of split rendering and split-rendered media processing associated with the session.

The means for determining may be for determining that one or more of: device related energy consumption is to be reduced; application specific energy consumption is to be reduced; or processing related energy consumption is to be reduced.

The means for taking one or more actions may be for changing one or more settings of the user equipment and/or for displaying on a screen of the user equipment one or more messages.

The one or more settings of the user equipment may relate to one or more of: the camera of the user equipment; the speaker of the user equipment; the screen of the user equipment; or the sensor of the user equipment.

The one or more messages may relate to one or more of: the camera of the user equipment; the speaker of the user equipment; the screen of the user equipment; or the sensor of the user equipment.

The means for taking one or more actions may be for providing application specific related energy consumption to a network entity to negotiate an updated configuration for the session associated with the application and for applying the updated configuration for the session associated with the application.

The means for taking one or more actions may be for sending a request to a network entity for the modification of the session.

The request to the network entity for the modification of the session may relate to one or more of: split-rendering support from a network; or updating of a session description protocol of the session.

The request sent to the network entity for the modification of the session may comprise information relating to processing specific related energy consumption.

The means for taking one or more actions may be for sending a release request to a network entity for the session and sending a request for a new session for the session.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: collecting one or more energy related metrics of ae user equipment during an session; determining based on one or more of the collected energy related metrics that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed; and taking one or more actions in response to determining that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed.

The method may comprise collecting one or more quality of experience metrics related to the same session.

The method may comprise determining that energy consumption by the user equipment is to be reduced.

The method may comprise determining that a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be improved.

The one or energy related metrics relating by the user equipment may comprise one or more of: one or more device specific metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more processing specific metrics.

The method may comprise determining that one or more of: device related energy consumption is to be reduced; application specific energy consumption is to be reduced; or processing related energy consumption is to be reduced.

The method may comprise changing one or more settings of the user equipment and/or for displaying on a screen of the user equipment one or more messages.

The one or more settings of the user equipment may relate to one or more of: the camera of the user equipment; the speaker of the user equipment; the screen of the user equipment; or the sensor of the user equipment. The one or more messages may relate to one or more of: the camera of the user equipment; the speaker of the user equipment; the screen of the user equipment; or the sensor of the user equipment.

The method may comprise providing application specific related energy consumption to a network entity to negotiate an updated configuration for the session associated with the application and for applying the updated configuration for the session associated with the application.

The method may comprise sending a request to a network entity for the modification of the session.

The method may comprise sending a release request to a network entity for the session and sending a request for a new session for the session.

The method may be performed by an apparatus.

The apparatus may be a user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the methods of the sixth aspect..

According to another aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

According to an aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible memory medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above. Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example 5GS communication system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a first procedure of some embodiments;

Figure 5 shows second procedure of some embodiments;

Figure 6 shows third procedure of some embodiments;

Figure 7 shows a first method of some embodiments;

Figure 8 shows a second method of some embodiments; and

Figure 9 shows a third method of some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a communication system of a communication network and communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G network 100 that connects a UE 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or a terminal) to a DN 110. The 5G network 100 may comprise a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) 104 and a 5G core network (5GC) 106. One or more application functions (AF) 108 may be connected to the 5GC 100 (e.g., a network exposure function of the 5GC) to enable the one or more AFs to access services provided by network functions of the 5GC. Although the AF 108 is shown in Figure 1 as being external to the 5GC 106, in some embodiments, one or more of the AFs 108 may be a trusted AF that is part of 5GC (e.g., internal to the 5GC).

The 5GC 106 comprises one or more network functions (otherwise referred to a network entities). The one or more network functions of the 5GC 106 may comprise one or more Access and mobility Management Functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, a Unified Data Repository (UDR) 122 and/or a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 124. The UPF is controlled by the SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function).

The UPF of the 5GC 106 is connected to the Radio Access Network (RAN) via a N3 interface. The 5G-RAN 104 may comprise one or more radio access network nodes (RANs). A radio access network node may comprise a gNodeB (gNB). A gNB may comprise one or more gNB Distributed Units (DUs) connected to a gNodeB (gNB) Centralized Unit (CU).

A communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. A communication device may be any device capable of sending and receiving wireless signals, including radio signals. Non-limiting examples of a communication device comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, headsets, head mounted displays (HMD), smart glasses, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), or any combinations of these or the like.

A communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, extended reality (XR) applications, and other information.

A communication device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant components can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204.

The communication device may comprise one or more sensors 209. The one or more sensors may comprise any suitable sensor, such as a GPS (global positioning system) sensor, one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more depth sensors, one or more eye/finger/hand and/or face tracking sensors, one or more gesture/body and/or motion tracking sensors, and/or the like.

The user may control the operation of the communication device by means of a suitable user interface such as keypad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display (screen) 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment or headsets, thereto.

The communication device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example of an apparatus 300.

The apparatus may be or provided in a network entity. The network entity may be a radio access entity or a core network entity. The core network entity may be a QoE server or provide an 0AM function, The apparatus 300 may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the at least one processor cause operations or actions of at least a part of the network entity to be provided.

The apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 and at least one processor, for example a data processing unit 302, 303. The apparatus comprises a network interface 304. The at least one processor 302 and 303 may comprise one or more CPU 302. The at least one processor may comprise a hardware accelerator 303. The memory 301 stores instructions which when executed by the at least one processor 302, 303, cause the network entity to provide one or more of the described aspects.

In some embodiments, a UE may collect one or more energy related metrics of the UE. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the energy related metrics of the UE may encompass energy related metrics of equipment which is connected to the UE. The equipment may be local to the UE. For example, the equipment may be a HMD, smart glasses, a dedicated processing or rendering device.

The UE may collect one or more energy related metrics relating to energy consumption by the UE. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE may collect one or more energy related metrics relating to an energy supply of the UE. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE may collect one or more energy related metrics relating to an energy state of the user equipment. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE may collect one or more energy related metrics relating to an energy preference of the user equipment. Alternatively, or additionally, the UE may collect one or more energy related metrics relating to an energy capacity of the user equipment.

The UE may evaluate the energy related metrics.

The UE may make one or more measurements to determine the energy related metrics.

Energy consumption is a source of operational cost for the operating of a network and for the providing of services. Energy consumption may be a factor in the design of a UE.

Further, there is desire to reduce energy consumption to reduce an impact on the environment.

In some embodiments, the energy related metrics collected by the UE may be used to reduce energy consumption in the UE.

In some embodiments, the energy related metrics collected by the UE may be used to reduce energy consumption in the network. This may provide network energy savings.

In some embodiments, a network may cause the UE to collect the energy related metrics. For example, the network may configure to the UE to collect UE energymeasurements in order to evaluate the impact of a specific action taken. For example, the action may be the updating of one or more parameters of a media session. In some embodiments, the network may be acting on behalf of an application provided by an application function.

In some embodiments, the energy related information may provide a measure of QoE (quality of experience) for the UE. For example, the energy related information may be used by the network, or by an application, to provide information about the relationship between QoE and energy consumption on the UE. This energy related information may be used to determine a configuration that would save energy on the UE whilst preserving a target QoE or at least being close to the target QoE. The energy related information may be used to improve the QoE of the UE. Some embodiments may allow for energy saving actions at an application layer and/or in the RAN access stratum based on energy related metrics. The energy related metrics may be provided by the application layer on the UE.

Some embodiments may relate to media handling and/or media delivery. Some embodiments may relate to AR (augmented reality)/VR (virtual reality)/XR (extended reality) content handling and interactions, media streaming, or multimedia telephony services (for example using IMS (internet protocol multimedia system)). Some embodiments may apply to delivery of media content over mobile networks (for example 5G networks, 6G networks or beyond). Some embodiments may relate to split processing such as split rendering.

Some embodiments may relate to a session, for example an application session. In some embodiments, the session or application session may be a media streaming session, an internet protocol multimedia system session, or an extended reality session.

Some embodiments may collect one or more of the following examples of energy related metrics of the UE.

The energy related metrics of the UE may be associated with a specific session and/or with a specific application. In the case of a specific application, this may be identified by the application ID. The application may be one of a media streaming session, an internet protocol multimedia system session, and an extended reality session.

In some embodiments, a time duration associated with an energy related metric may be measured in minutes or the like.

The energy related metrics may comprise one or more metrics relating to one or more of: an energy state of the user equipment; an energy consumption of the user equipment; an energy preference of the user equipment; an energy capacity of the user equipment; or an energy supply of the user equipment.

In some embodiments, the energy consumption associated with an energy related metric may be measured in milliamp hours mAh or the like.

In some embodiments, the one or more metrics related to the energy consumption of the UE may relate to a rate of energy consumption or a remaining time of a battery. The one or more metrics related to the energy consumption of the UE may be associated with a specific session and/or with a specific application. In the case of a specific application, this may be identified by the application ID.

The one or more metrics relating to the energy consumption of the UE comprise one or more of: one or more processing related metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more device specific metrics.

The one or more processing related metrics comprise one or more of: a time duration for which a screen (display) of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the screen; a time duration for which a camera of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the camera; a time duration for which a speaker of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the speaker; a time duration for which a sensor of the user equipment is on; or an energy consumption of the sensor.

The one or more processing related metrics comprise one or more of: one or more network energy consumption metrics; one or more media processing consumption metrics; or one or more rendering consumption metrics.

The one or more network energy consumption metrics comprise one or more of: energy consumption relating to radio transmission by the user equipment; energy consumption relating to radio reception by the user equipment; or energy consumption relating to processing by the user equipment.

The one or more media processing consumption metrics comprise one or more of: energy consumption relating to encoding by the user equipment; energy consumption relating to decoding by the user equipment; or energy consumption relating to processing by the user equipment.

The one or more rendering consumption metrics comprise one or more of: energy consumption relating to rendering by the user equipment; energy consumption relating to split rendering by the user equipment; or energy consumption relating to split rendered media processing by the user equipment. energy consumption for one or more of encoding, decoding, and processing; or energy consumption for one or more of split rendering processing and split-rendered media processing associated with the session.

The one or more application specific related metrics comprise one or more of: application-specific battery usage (for example expressed a percentage and/or in milliwatts (mW)) associated with the use of a specific application; application-specific battery discharging speed (for example expressed as percentage, or in terms of mAh or mW since last full charge) which is associated a specific application; overall energy consumption per unit of time the application is used (this may be in mW); application-specific energy cost (e.g. an abstracted cost or impact of this application in terms of UE energy); or overall energy consumption per unit of time the application is used (this may be in mW). In some embodiments, the metrics associated with energy consumption by the UE may be selected from the table set out below.

Table 1 : UE energy consumption

In some embodiments, the UE may use the collected energy related metrics to update or select a configuration at the UE side. A configuration controls an operation at the UE side. The energy related metric may relate to a media session. In some embodiments, the UE may also use the measurements of QoE metrics when determining an operation at the UE side.

The configuration which controls the operation of the UE may be updated or selected to optimize a user experience. In some embodiments, the updated operation may change an energy usage associated with the media session. In some embodiments, the updated operation may reduce the energy consumption at the UE.

If a significant energy consumption is processing related, e.g. related to rendering consumption, UE may trigger following process to request, for example, split-rendering support from network.

The UE sends a session modification request to network. This may be to request splitrendering support from the network. This may be to reduce energy consumption associated with a specific media session at the UE.

This request may be based on one or more measurements of the energy related metrics. The request may also provide information about one or more capabilities of the UE.

In some embodiments the request may be for a specific QoS (quality of service) handling. Optionally, request may comprise the requested QoS rules based on the one or more measurements of the energy related metrics.

A QoS may be defined by one or more of: a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency.

QoE relates a measure of an overall quality of experience for a user of a service. QoE may be influenced by factors such as user perception, quality of media content, reliability of a session; responsiveness, and/or interactivity. One or more metrics may be measured to determine a QoE.

QoS relate to one or more performance metrics of for example the network or the UE. For example, QoS may be used to control one or more of bandwidth allocation, traffic categorisation or prioritization, delay, packet loss prevention, and/or latency. In some embodiments, one or more QoS metrics/requirements/parameters may be modified to attempt to improve the QoE for a user.

The request may be part of a UE requested PDU (protocol data unit) session modification procedure. By way of example, the UE requested PDU session modification procedures as specified in TS 24.501 V18.6.0 clause 6.4.2, may be modified to provide information about the one or more energy related parameters in the request sent by the UE to the network. The one or more energy related parameters may comprise one or more measurements of the energy related metrics such as previously described. If the UE needs to indicate network assistance information during an established PDU session for media services, the UE may include, for example, rendering energy consumption and other processing related energy consumption in a PDU SESSION MODIFICATION REQUEST message. The network may use the energy consumption information to initiate Network-requested PDU session modification procedure. Alternatively, the network may reject the PDU SESSION MODIFICATION REQUEST according to the current capacity.

In some embodiments, a UE may send a session release request and new session establishment request to the network, to enable the UE to leave and join an appropriated session according to one or more of the current energy related metrics.

In the situation where the QoE of current session is still not achieved e.g. after sending PDU SESSION MODIFICATION REQUEST, the UE may request PDU session release by sending a PDU SESSION RELEASE REQUEST message to the network, and furthermore request a new PDU session based on an updated energy consumption situation.

If a significant energy consumption is processing related, information related to one or more metrics may be provided. This may be provided during session set up by indicating preferred resolutions in the SDP (session description protocol). This may be provided by, for example a client of the UE. The information related to one or energy related metrics may be one or more metrics relating to processing, for example relating to encoding/decoding consumption. The UE client may be an MTSI (multimedia telephony service for IMS client.

In some embodiments, if it is determined that that application-specific energy consumption needs to be addressed, then one or more actions may be taken by the UE.

The one or more actions may be to reduce the energy consumption by the UE. For example, a message may be generated by the application or by the client on the UE and displayed on the display of the UE. For example, the message may indicate an action which a user of the UE can take. The message may indicate a reason for the action. For example, the message may indicate one or more of: one or more settings of the application are to be checked; one or more settings of the application are to be changed; or the application is to be exited. The message may indicate that the application is consuming higher energy than usual or that the energy consumption by the application may be reduced.

In some embodiments, one or more actions of the UE may be for the UE itself to alter one or more settings of the UE to address application-specific energy consumption. For example: one or more settings of the application are changed; or the application is to be exited and optionally be restarted by the UE. In some embodiments, if it is determined that that device-specific energy consumption needs to be addressed, then one or more actions may be taken by the UE. The one or more actions may be to reduce the energy consumption by the UE.

In some embodiments, one or more actions of the UE may for example display one or more messages on its display. For example, the message may indicate an action which a user of the UE can take. The message may indicate a reason for the action.

For example, a message may indicate that one or more camera settings needs to be changed or the camera is to be switched off. The message may indicate that the camera is consuming higher energy than usual or that the energy consumption by the camera may be reduced.

For example, a message may indicate that one or more speaker settings needs to be changed or the speaker is to be switched off. The message may indicate that the speaker is consuming higher energy than usual or that the energy consumption by the speaker may be reduced.

For example, a message may indicate that one or more sensor settings needs to be changed or the sensor is to be switched off. The message may indicate that the sensor is consuming higher energy than usual or that the energy consumption by the sensor may be reduced.

For example, the message may indicate that one or more display settings needs to be changed or the display is to be switched off. For example, the brightness of the display may be reduced. The message may indicate that the display is consuming higher energy than usual or that the energy consumption by the display may be reduced.

In some embodiments, one or more actions of the UE may be to alter one or more settings of the UE to address device specific energy consumption.

For example: the camera of the UE may have one or more of is settings altered by the UE itself; the camera of the UE may be switched off by the UE itself and optionally be restarted by the UE; one or more display settings may be altered by the UE itself; the display of the UE may be switched off by the UE itself and optionally be restarted by the UE; the sensor of the UE may have one or more of settings altered by the UE itself; the sensor of the UE may be switched off by the UE itself and optionally be restarted by the UE; the speaker of the UE may have one or more of its settings altered by the UE itself; or the speaker of the UE may be switched off by the UE itself and optionally be restarted by the UE.

Where the UE itself takes an action to alter one or more settings of the UE, the UE may cause a message to be displayed. The message may provide information about the action taken by the UE. Alternatively, the message may provide information about the reason for the action taken by the UE.

Reference is made to Figure 4 which shows an example of a procedure where collection of the energy related metrics in triggered by the network. For example, the collection of the energy related metrics may be triggered by an 0AM function or a QoE server. In this example, the energy related metrics are defined via a QoE configuration which is received from the network.

In this example, a QoE measurement collection (QMC) handler is used. This may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE.

By way of example only, this procedure may be for an MTSI use case.

In this example, one or more energy related flags may be used in a QoE reporting configuration. This may be related to a specific session. The session may be a media session.

As referenced 0, the UE indicates its capability to the network. This may be when the UE starts/registers or registers, e.g., via a handler. In some examples, the handler is a QMC handler. The capability relates to the one or more energy related parameters that the UE is able to collect. The capability information indicates the support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics or indicates one or more energy metrics are capable of being reported by the user equipment. In some examples, the energy related parameters may be QoE energy related parameters. The UE may send its capability to the gNB. The UE may send its capability as information in a signalling message, e.g. “qoe-EC-MeasReport”. The report may be sent via an access stratum of the UE.

The capability information may further indicate support of the user equipment to report one or more quality of experience metrics which are not energy related. The capability information may further indicate one or more quality of experience metrics which are not energy related and which are capable of being reported by the user equipment.

As referenced la and b, the network sends a configuration request indicating that the UE is to report one or more energy related metrics (parameters). The configuration request may be received from the 0AM or QoE server by the gNB (la) and is delivered by the gNB to the UE (lb). The configuration request may be a QoE configuration request. The configuration request may have an EC (energy consumption) flag set. The EC flag may be set inside a MTSI QoE reporting request. The configuration request may be associated with one or more of a media session ID, a time stamp, or the like.

The configuration request may indicate a measurement frequency. The measurement frequency may be associated with all the energy related metrics or one or more different measurement frequencies may be provided for respective energy related metrics.

The configuration request may indicate a time period or time range in which one or more energy related metrics are to be collected, for example measured.

The configuration request may indicate when the UE is to report the information about the energy related parameters to the network.

The configuration request may include a request for one or more QoE metrics which are non-energy related.

The configuration request may identify the application and/or the application session.

The configuration request may be received by the QMC handler within the UE. As referenced 1c, the QMC handler within the UE triggers a client within the UE to collect the energy related metrics. For example, the client may be a MTSI client. The MTSI client may collect of cause the collection of MTSI QoE metrics. The MTSI client may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE.

As referenced 2, the UE collects the energy related metrics. For example, this may be via a client, for example the MTSI client, which collects or causes the collection of the energy related metrics. The energy related metrics may be energy related QoE metrics. The energy related metrics may relate to the media session. This may be done, for example using AT (ATtention) commands between the application layer of the UE and the access stratum of the UE. The UE may also collect non energy related QoE metrics. The non energy related QoE metrics may relate to the same media session. In some embodiments, the UE may use the UE energy handler (such as shown in Figure 4) to provide the one or more energy related parameters. The UE energy handler may provide information about the one or more energy related metrics to the UE client and/or to the handler.

As referenced 3a, the client provides the request energy related metrics to the handler. The information about the energy related metrics may be provided in a report. The report may be created by the client. The report may be a QoE report. The report may be in XML format or another suitable format.

As referenced 3b, the report is sent to the gNB via the handler. The report may comprise the information about the one or more energy related metrics in a MTSI QoE container.

As referenced 3c, the report is forwarded by the gNB to the 0AM or the QoE server.

The 0AM or QoE server may forward the information about the one or more energy related metrics to a MnS (Management-Service) Consumer (e.g. an AF). The AF may send a request to the network to reduce energy consumption or usage. For example, a different QoS (configuration(s)/metric(s)/parameter(s)/requirement(s)) may be proposed, a different network slice, or a different configuration. The quality of service may be defined by one or more of: a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency. In other embodiments, this information about the one or more energy related metrics may alternatively or additionally be used to provide a configuration to improve the QoE for the UE.

The network configuration may be provided to the UE via the 5GC, 6GC or beyond. The network configuration may be based on the energy status of the UE which is provided by the information about the one or more energy related metrics.

Reference is made to Figure 5 which shows an example of a procedure where collection of the energy related metrics in triggered by the network. In this example, a dedicated QoE configuration for reporting energy related metrics of the UE may be used:

As referenced 0, when the UE starts/registers or registers, the UE indicates it capability to the network. This may be by a handler of the UE. In some examples, the handler is an energy handler. The energy handler may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE. The capability relates to the one or more energy related parameters that the UE is able to collect. In some examples, the energy related parameters may be QoE energy related parameters. The UE may send its capability to the gNB. The UE may send its capability as information in a signalling message, e.g. “capability=qoe-EC-MeasReport”. The report may be sent via an energy handler of the UE. The capability information indicates the support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics or indicates one or more energy metrics are capable of being reported by the user equipment.

As referenced la and b, the network sends a configuration request indicating that the UE is to report one or more energy related parameters. The configuration request may be received from the 0AM or QoE server by the gNB (la) and is delivered by the gNB to the UE (lb). The configuration request may be a QoE configuration request. The configuration request may be a dedicated QoE configuration request for the reporting of energy related parameters of the UE. The configuration request may be “qoe-EC-MeasReport” .

The configuration request may be received by the energy handler within the UE. As referenced 1c, the energy handler within the UE triggers a client within the UE to collect the energy related metrics. The energy handler within the UE may send the QoE configuration request to the UE client. The UE client may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE.

As referenced 2, the UE collects the energy related metrics. For example, this may be via a client, for example the UE client, which collects or causes the collection of the energy related metrics. The energy related metrics may be energy related QoE metrics. The energy related metrics may relate to the media session.

As referenced 3b, the report is sent to the gNB via the handler. The report may comprise the information about the one or more energy related metrics.

As referenced 3c, the report is forwarded by the gNB to the 0AM or the QoE server. The report may be sent periodically to the 0AM or the QoE server via the UE energy handler with information on the requested energy related metrics.

The 0AM or QoE server may forward the information about the one or more energy related metrics to a MnS Consumer (e.g. an AF). The AF may send a request to network to reduce energy consumption or usage. For example, a different QoS(configuration(s)/metric(s)/parameter(s)/requirement(s)) may be proposed, a different network slice, or a different configuration. The quality of service may be defined by one or more of: a quality of service indicator, a 5G quality of service indicator 5QI; a bit rate; jitter; or latency. In other embodiments, this information about the one or more energy related metrics may alternatively or additionally be used to provide a configuration to improve the QoE for the UE.

The network configuration may be provided to the UE via the 5GC. The network configuration may be based on the energy status of the UE which is provided by the information about the one or more energy related metrics.

It should be appreciated that the procedures such as described in relation to Figures 4 and 5 may be modified to support the use of energy related metrics of a UE in VR cases or in DASH (dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol)) cases. One or more of these use cases may be supported using QMC. The energy related parameters which are to be collected by a UE may be provided in a “qoe-Streaming-MeasReport” QoE configuration request. The energy related information may be reported by the UE using QMC.

Reference is made to Figure 6 which shows an example of a procedure where collection of the energy related metrics is based on the RAN visible QoE configuration.

The gNB may use RAN visible QoE configurations to instruct the UE to collect application layer measurements. These application layer measurement may be energy related metrics. The application layer measurements may be used for network optimization or reducing energy usage. The RAN visible QoE configuration generated by the gNB may be forwarded by the UE AS (Access Stratum) layer to the UE client. The client may be any suitable client. By way of example, the client may be a DASH client or a MTSI client or any other suitable client. The UE client may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE.

The instruction from the gNB may comprise one or more of: the one or more required RAN visible QoE metrics; a service type; a RRC (radio resource control) identifier; and reporting periodicity. As referenced la, the gNB sends a configuration request to the UE AS layer indicating that the UE is to report information about one or more energy related parameters. The AS layer may be a logical entity provided on the UE and may be provided by at least one processor and at least one memory of the UE. The configuration request may be a QoE configuration request. The configuration request indicates that reporting of information about one or more energy related metrics by the UE is to be inside a RAN visible container (e.g. RVQoE). In other words, the gNB will be able to have access to the information about the energy related metrics reported by the UE.

The configuration request may when the UE is to report the information about the energy related parameters to the RAN.

The configuration request may include a request for one or more QoE metrics, which are not energy related.

As referenced la, the UE AS layer sends the configuration request to the UE client, (e.g. a DASH client).

As referenced 2, the UE collects the energy related metrics. For example, this may be via a client, for example the UE client, which collects or causes the collection of the energy related metrics. The energy related metrics may be energy related QoE metrics.

As referenced 3a, the client provides the request energy related metrics to the AS layer of the UE. The information about the energy related metrics may be provided in a report. The report may be created by the client. The report may be a QoE report.

As referenced 3b, the report is sent to the gNB via the AS layer. The report may comprise the information about the one or more energy related metrics.

The report which is sent by the UE which have the information about the energy related metrics in a RVQoE or other RAN visible container. The gNB can read the RVQoE or other RAN visible container with information about the energy related metrics of the UE. Based on the information about the energy related metrics, the gNB may change one or more network related configurations. This may be to reduce energy usage, for example. In other embodiments, this information about the one or more energy related metrics may alternatively or additionally be used to provide a configuration improve the QoE for the UE. The information about the energy related metrics which are received by the RAN and is visible to the RAN may cause the RAN to make on one or more changes which may change, for example, energy consumption at the UE. By way of example only, the RAN may add one or more SCells used for carrier aggregation or remove one or more SCells (secondary cell) used for carrier aggregation. Where dual connectivity is used, one or more cells may be added to a SCG (Secondary Cell Group), one or more cells may be removed from a SCG, a SCG may be activated, or a SCG may be deactivated. (Secondary Cell Group) may be added, addition/release of SCG (Secondary Cell Group) or SCG acti vati on/ deacti vati on .

Reference is made to FIG. 7 which show a method of some example embodiments.

This method may be performed by an apparatus.

The apparatus may comprise or be a user equipment..

The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2.

The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

The method may comprise as referenced Al, receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of a user equipment;

The method may comprise as referenced A2, collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

The method may comprise as referenced A3, creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

The method may comprise as referenced A4, sending the report to the network entity.

The method may be modified to include further steps such as discussed previously. Reference is made to FIG. 8 which show a method of some example embodiments. This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise or be a network entity. The network entity may be a radio network entity or a core network entity. The core network entity may be a QoE server or provide and 0AM function.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 3.

The method may comprise as referenced Bl, sending a configuration request to a user equipment, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment which are to be collected by the user equipment.

The method may comprise as referenced B2, receiving a report from the user equipment, the report comprising information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

The method may be modified to include further steps such as discussed previously Reference is made to FIG. 7 which show a method of some example embodiments. This method may be performed by an apparatus.

The apparatus may comprise or be a user equipment..

The method may comprise as referenced Cl, collecting one or more energy related metrics of ae user equipment during a session. The method may comprise as referenced C2, determining based on one or more of the collected energy related metrics that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed.

The method may comprise as referenced C3, taking one or more actions in response to determining that energy consumption by the user equipment or a quality of experience of the user equipment is to be changed.

The method may be modified to include further steps such as discussed previously

It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a communication device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the FIGs may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Various example embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features thereof, if any, described in this disclosure that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the disclosure.

The foregoing description has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the various example embodiments of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. By way of non-limiting and illustrative example, there is a further example embodiment comprising a combination of one or more example embodiments with any of the other example embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. A user equipment compri sing : means for receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; means for creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; and means for sending the report to the network entity.

2. The user equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration request comprises a quality of experience configuration request and the report comprises a quality of experience report.

3. The user equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the one or more energy related metrics relate to one or more of: an energy state of the user equipment; an energy consumption of the user equipment; an energy preference of the user equipment; an energy capacity of the user equipment; an energy supply of the user equipment; an energy consumption rate of the user equipment.

4. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the configuration request comprises at least one of: a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics to be reported; a measurement frequency for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; a measurement time range for collecting one or more of the one or more energy related metrics; or a reporting time period for sending the report to the network entity.

5. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the configuration request comprises a list of one or more of the one or more energy related metrics for which information is to be provided in the report in a radio access network visible container.

6. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the configuration request comprises information identifying one or more of an application; or an application session.

7. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment comprise one or more of one or more device specific metrics; one or more application specific metrics; or one or more processing specific metrics.

8. The user equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more device specific metrics comprise one or more of a time duration for which a screen of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the screen; a time duration for which a camera of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the camera; a time duration for which a speaker of the user equipment is on; an energy consumption of the speaker; a time duration for which a sensor of the user equipment is on; or an energy consumption of the sensor.

9. The user equipment as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the one or more application specific metrics comprise an energy consumption of the application.

10. The user equipment as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the one or more processing related metrics comprise one or more of energy consumption of radio transmission by the user equipment; energy consumption for one or more of encoding, decoding, and processing; or energy consumption for one or more of split rendering and split-rendered media processing associated with the session.

11. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for receiving, after sending the report, an updated network configuration.

12. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the updated network configuration comprises one or more of: a different quality of service configuration; or a different slice.

13. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for sending to the network entity, capability information, the capability information indicating at least one of: support of the user equipment to report one or more energy metrics; or one or more energy metrics capable of being reported by the user equipment.

14. A network entity compri sing : means for sending a configuration request to a user equipment, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment which are to be collected by the user equipment; and means for receiving a report from the user equipment, the report comprising information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

15. The network entity as claimed in claim 14, comprising means for providing the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to an application function.

16. The network entity as claimed in claim 14, comprising means for using the information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment to change a configuration associated with the user equipment.

17. The network entity as claimed in claim 16, wherein the network entity is a radio access network entity and the information about the one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment is visible to the radio access network entity.

18. The network entity as claimed in claim 17, comprising means for changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment to change the configuration associated with the user equipment.

19. The network entity as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means for changing a number of cells associated with the user equipment is for: activating one or more secondary cells, deactivating one or more secondary cells; activation a secondary cell group; or deactivating a secondary cell group.

20. A method comprising: receiving a configuration request from a network entity, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of a user equipment; collecting one or more metrics relating to the one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; creating a report comprising information relating to the collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment; and sending the report to the network entity.

21. A method comprising: sending a configuration request to a user equipment, the configuration request comprising one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment which are to be collected by the user equipment; and receiving a report from the user equipment, the report comprising information about one or more collected one or more energy related metrics of the user equipment.

22. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions which when run cause the method of claim 20 or of claim 21 to be performed.